DMRC fined by power department for illegal power supply to shops at Botanical Garden Metro station
The Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (PVVNL) has also issued a notice to the DMRC to clear the dues in the next 15 days, or else the power supply will be disconnected to the shops.
Taking action against the unauthorised supply of power to 11 shops operating at Botanical Garden Metro station, the power department has fined the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) with Rs 10.12 crores.
The Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (PVVNL) has also issued a notice to the DMRC to clear the dues in the next 15 days, or else the power supply will be disconnected to the shops.
According to a PVVNL official, 10,000 Kva power was supplied to the DMRC for Metro rail commuting and operational purposes in Noida after which the DMRC has provided 515 Kva power supply to the 11 shops operating at Botanical Garden Metro station which is unauthorised.
"In 2009, the DMRC had taken up power supply from us for traction and later gave a tender to a private firm RQ Power Industries Private Limited to provide electricity to the shops in the complex at a higher tariff. Till date, they have not paid a single penny for the electricity duty to the PVVNL," said Anil Kumar, superintendent engineer of PVVNL.
However, officials of the RQ company stated that they have been paying the amount timely to the DMRC.
"After assessment of the DMRC, it was found that the amount at which PVVNL provides the electricity is much lower to what the DMRC is taking from the shops which is a serious offence in itself. Hence, an electricity duty penalty assessment amounting to Rs 10.12 crore was charged to DMRC," said Kumar.
PVVNL has been sending notices to the DMRC to clear the amount, however, there has been no response, following which it has filed a complaint against 4 people, including General Manager of electricity department of the DMRC.
"Following the complaint given by PVVNL, we have registered an FIR under Section 135(1) ( Theft of Energy) of Electricity Act, 2003 against Vivek Agarwal (GM Of electricity department in DMRC), Sandeep ( a station supervisor), Sujeet (Gm of RQ company) and Mahipal ( a local supervisor). We are investigating the case," said a senior police officer.
UNAUTHORISED POWER SUPPLY TO SHOPS​
According to a PVVNL official, 10,000 Kva power was supplied to the DMRC for Metro rail commuting and operational purposes in Noida after which the DMRC has provided 515 Kva power supply to the 11 shops operating at Botanical Garden Metro station which is unauthorised.